Photos/Review: Jerry Cantrell @ HOB in Anaheim

Jerry Cantrell, the mastermind behind Alice in Chains, but his solo material ranks right up there with anything he has created with the Seattle grunge masters. His fourth solo album, I Want Blood, released in October 2024, is another Cantrell masterpiece chock full of impeccable riffs and moody lyrics. The second leg of the I Want Blood US tour 2025 made a stop at House of Blues in Anaheim, CA on Sunday night, August 17, with openers Sparta.

Filter was originally announced as the opening band for this tour, but Richard Patrick is dealing with some health issues so the El Paso, Texas based rock trio, Sparta has stepped in to kick off each night before Jerry Cantrell hits the stage. Playing a 45-minute set, Sparta was greeted with loud cheers and an attentive audience as vocalist Jim Ward, bassist Matt Miller, and drummer Neil Hennessy laid down some powerful mid-tempo, melodic rock n roll. This being only the second night of the tour, Ward sincerely thanked Cantrell, his band, and crew for the opportunity to play with them each night and thanked the capacity crowd for showing up early.

Sparta

At about 9:15 pm, the band stepped on stage and the atmosphere was thick with anticipation and Jerry Cantrell wasted no time blending his solo catalog with fan-favorite Alice in Chains tracks as the haunting riff of “Psychotic Break” echoed through the venue to begin the show, then the crowd got a bit rowdy as they went right into “Them Bones”, a perfect one-two punch to kick off the night.

The first noticeable thing on this night was the absence of vocalist Greg Puciato, who sang background vocals on both Brighten and I Want Blood, and has toured with Cantrell the last few years. Tonight, it was just a four-piece with veteran rocker Roy Mayorga on drums, Zach Throne on guitars, and Eliot Lorango on bass. Throne was also killing it on the vocal harmonies with Cantrell; his voice resonated perfectly with Jerry, resulting in that haunting, brooding vocal sound Jerry Cantrell is known for.

Moody lighting in reds and blues synced up with the music perfectly, adding to the atmosphere, and Cantrell would then be lit up in bright whites during his expressive solos. Never boasting any flashy showmanship, Cantrell’s playing commands your attention, always reminding you he is, without a doubt, one of the top modern-day guitar heroes. The setlist was perfect, sprinkling in six Alice in Chains songs in between his solo material. The main set ended with the thumping bass of “Would?”.

The encore kicked off with a rare Alice in Chains gem “It Ain’t Like That,” followed by “Brighten,” and ended with a massive crowd sing-along of “Rooster”.

The seamless mix of solo and Alice in Chains songs highlighted both Jerry Cantrell’s legacy and his evolution as a songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist. His live show isn’t just a performance; it’s an immersive experience in mood, remembrance, and raw musical talent. This tour is a must-see for fans of Alice in Chains and for anyone who appreciates rock n roll delivered with passion, honesty, and virtuosity.